Tony Dunning

The guitarist of Toronto-based rock band, Steel River, Tony Dunning appeared to be on the verge of stardom in the late-1960s. Their debut single, "Ten Pound Note", reached the top ten in Canada and became a hit in England, Germany and Australia. The song's success failed to be matched, however, by subsequent releases, and the group split up in 1973. Although they attempted a reunion in 1980, releasing a single, "Armoured Car", they soon disbanded permanently. Dunning first played with members of Steel River -- vocalist John Dudgeon, drummer Dennis Watson, keyboards player Bob Forrester and bassist Rob Cockell, in a part-time band, the Toronto Shotgun, in the mid-1960s. Recording a demo, produced by Greg Hambleton, in 1969, they went on to record two albums -- Weighin' Heavy in 1970 and A Better Road in 1971 -- for Hambleton's Axe Records label. ~ Craig Harris